Title: And Don’t Look Back
Author: Rebecca Barrow
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: October 3, 2023
Genres: YA Contemporary, thriller, horror, mystery
Buy Links: rebeccabarrow.com
Synopsis
After her mother’s death, a teen pieces together the truth of her family’s past and what her mom was hiding from in this thriller that’s perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Tiffany D. Jackson.
Harlow Ford has spent her entire life running, caught in her mother’s wake as they flit from town to town, hiding from a presence that Harlow isn’t even sure is real. In each new place, Harlow takes on a new name and personality, and each time they run, she leaves another piece of herself behind.
When Harlow and her mom set off on yet another 3 a.m. escape, they are involved in a car accident that leaves Harlow’s mother fatally wounded. Before she dies, she tells Harlow two things: where to find the key to a safety deposit box and to never stop running. In the box, Harlow finds thirty grand in cash, life insurance documents, and several fake IDs for both herself and her mom—an on-the-run essentials kit. But Harlow also finds a photograph of her mom as a teenager with two other girls, the deed to a house in a town she’s never heard of, and a handful of newspaper clippings discussing the disappearance of a woman named Eve Kennedy, Harlow’s grandmother…relics of a part of Harlow’s life she never knew existed.
With these tantalizing clues about her mother’s secrets and the power to choose her own future for the first time, Harlow realizes she has two choices: keep fleeing her mom’s ghosts or face down the nebulous threat that’s been hanging over her for her entire life.
Author Information
Author’s website: rebeccabarrow.com
Author’s instagram: instagram.ccm/rebeccakbarrow
Author’s twitter: N/A
Why Shoud You Read This?
“And Don’t Look Back” by Rebecca Barrow is a heart-pounding thriller that masterfully weaves together a teenager’s search for the truth about her family’s past and the secrets her mother left behind. This book is a gripping journey that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and is a must-read for fans of Courtney Summers and Tiffany D. Jackson.
Harlow Ford’s life has been a constant whirlwind, marked by endless moves and the shadow of an elusive threat. From town to town, she and her mother have been running, leaving behind not just places but fragments of Harlow’s identity. But when a car accident takes her mother’s life, Harlow is thrust into a world of secrets and mystery that she never could have anticipated.
The story kicks into high gear when Harlow’s dying mother imparts two crucial pieces of information: the location of a safety deposit box key and the command to never stop running. What Harlow discovers inside that box is a game-changer, revealing life-altering secrets about her mother’s past, including fake IDs, a substantial amount of cash, and most intriguingly, a photograph of her mother as a teenager with two other girls, one of whom is her grandmother, Eve Kennedy.
Rebecca Barrow excels at creating a suspenseful atmosphere, drawing readers into Harlow’s quest to uncover the truth. The book brilliantly explores the dichotomy of choice, as Harlow is faced with the decision to continue fleeing her mother’s ghosts or confront the enigmatic threat that has hung over her throughout her life. Harlow’s journey is one of self-discovery, resilience, and determination, and readers will find themselves rooting for her every step of the way.
The narrative is skillfully constructed, with each revelation and twist building upon the last, creating an intricate and satisfying mystery. Barrow’s writing is evocative, capturing the emotions and tension of the characters as they navigate a web of secrets and lies.
“And Don’t Look Back” is a riveting thriller that delves deep into the complexities of family, identity, and the consequences of running from one’s past. It’s a story that will leave you breathless and eager to turn the next page. Rebecca Barrow has crafted a compelling and suspenseful tale that will keep you guessing until the very end. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a thrilling and thought-provoking read.
I received a copy of the book through the tour.